Woods, McIlroy highlight early tee times in Dubai

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The two will be grouped together for the first time since the first three rounds of last year’s U.S. Open and will be joined by defending champion Stephen Gallacher when they tee off on the 10th hole at Emirates Golf Club at 8:05 a.m. (11:05 p.m. ET, Wednesday) on Thursday.

It was during a practice round just up the road in Abu Dhabi in 2012 when the world No. 1 and McIlroy began their friendship and the two have been frequent playing partners over the last two years.

Both have won the Dubai event – Woods in 2008 and ’06 and McIlroy in ’09 – and were tied briefly during Tuesday’s Champions Challenge before Woods struggled late in his round and finished with a 71.

Henrik Stenson and Ernie Els will highlight the other half of the tee sheet. Els and last year’s FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai champion will tee off at 12:25 p.m. (local) on the first tee on Thursday.